Olathe Resident Finds "Winning Combination" - Wins $10,000 Cash Prize

After hearing his boss talk about his good fortune playing the Kansas Lottery's 25th Anniversary Game Book, Steven Shirley decided to give the game book a try himself.  The Olathe resident purchased one of the $20 tickets before going fishing yesterday afternoon and "caught" a cash prize worth $10,000!

"I bought the ticket before going fishing," said Shirley.  "I stuck the ticket in my cooler, went fishing and didn't scratch it until evening.  I bet I checked the ticket at least nine times before I was sure I had won $10,000."

The Kansas Lottery's 25th Anniversary Game Book offers players nine different puzzle games in one book.  Shirley won his $10,000 cash prize playing the Winning Combination game.   

"When I woke up my wife to show her the ticket, she thought I had one of those fake tickets," said Shirley.  "But, after looking at it she knew it wasn't a fake ticket."

After a restless night, the Olathe couple drove to Lottery headquarters in Topeka this morning to claim their prize.

"The only person we've told is my boss," said Shirley, who works for American Eagle Outfitters.  "We haven't even told our three kids."

Shirley and his wife Sandy, who have been married 30 years, plan to pay bills and "have a little fun" with their winnings.

The winning ticket was purchased at Hy-Vee Gas 2, located at 17901 W. 119th St. in Olathe.